My birthday was great. It was nice to be home and see family and be lazy. I wasn't bummed to not stay overnight at Ron and Elaine's. I slept much better going to Mom and Dad's on Thanksgiving Eve. I also got to see Nicole while up in NE Iowa which was nice and she brought the fiance along too. I wasn't a complete bum and did some work while in Waukon too. And 33 feels no different than 32.
I have made good headway with grading. I finished some major assignments today. I have about 65 unit plans to grade in the next two weeks. My DMACC students also have to turn in their handbook assignments. I'm fairly sure not all will submit the project too which will make grading less strenuous. It seems that about six students have "checked out" and decided they were done learning for the semester. Enjoy your Fs!
Finances are starting to worry me a bit as we end the year. I had hoped to have more in savings by now but extra expenses have ruined that goal most months. My main concern is Gavin turning 16 and our insurance changing for the car. Not to mention that he does need his own vehicle too because my Ames schedule is progressively conflicting with his schedule.
I sent some questions to my supervisor at the Red Cross and I am indeed laid off from all teaching opportunities at the Red Cross. No more Babysitting Training. No more CPR/First Aid. They have fully contacted paid instruction to an outside company but instructors can still teach but only if they volunteer. I still will teach classes at Iowa State University. I need to ask more questions about how I'm supposed to be aware of updates and trainings so I'm still active for our needs on campus. I have a feeling the answer may not be great.
I thought I had more enthralling topics to write about but I guess I don't. I am excited to get a start on my new grading tasks this weekend as well as decorating for Christmas. I wasn't fully into it last year due to the move and my emotional state. I wish I had a Christmas tree. I refuse to buy one at full price though.
Time to head out! And for your visual pleasure....
I'm glad I didn't sleep at Ron and Elaine's too. The drive home was a bit sketchy though. Was it bad or mean that I didn't join you and Nicole? She and I have never been super close. Plus, you had Gavin. I'm glad you had a good birthday. You're getting hard to buy for, which makes Christmas fun too.
ReplyDeleteGrading is such a drawback to teaching. You're never caught up and it's a weight on our backs. Grrrr. I have some waiting for me right now. Blah. It's hard for me to believe that college students are so blasé about their grades.
Sorry to hear about your finances. Gavin better get a job and help pull some of his weight in terms of buying a car and car insurance. I think with the rest of us giving gifts, Gavin will get plenty.
It sounds like the Red Cross letting you go is a Catch-22. You weren't pleased with them, but they gave you work/money. You still have DMACC too, right?
I never decorate. I'm not sure why, but I've never been one for decorating, for any holiday that is. I'm not a Scrooge. I think it's more about laziness, lol.
My turn to blog . . . hopefully it'll get done tonight.